The symptoms of allergies might look a lot like the symptoms of a common cold –such as a runny nose and itching throat or eyes. So, how do you know when to Google tips for summer allergies?
If your child has a common cold, they might feel unwell and lack energy. However, if they only complain of a runny nose or itchy eyes and feel fine, it might be allergies.
Another way to tell if your child has allergies is if they have a crease on the bridge of their nose from rubbing it (an ‘allergic salute’) or dark rings under their eyes (‘allergic shiners’). If your child’s symptoms fluctuate daily without fully resolving, it might also be allergies. While allergies are environmental, genetics also play a role.
If you or your partner are predisposed to allergies, your children have a 50% chance of developing them. If both of you have allergies, there is a 75% chance that your children will also have them.
How Allergies Progress in Children
Allergies manifest in different ways depending on your child’s age. Allergic diseases such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis occur in young children and infants. Children who develop atopic dermatitis when they’re young have a higher risk of developing asthma and other allergies when they reach toddler and school-going age.
The way allergies progress from one disease to another is known as the “atopic march” – atopic is the term for someone with various allergies. These allergies can be environmental allergens like molds, pet dander, chemicals, pollens, or allergies to certain foods.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is usually the earliest manifestation of allergies. It manifests as an itchy rash on the skin. Between 10% and 20% of all children have had allergic dermatitis, usually as infants.
Atopic dermatitis is characterized by itching, and rashes form when the skin is scratched. Typically, atopic dermatitis rashes are dry, inflamed, and blistered, and the skin might flake or weep. Food and environmental allergies aggravate atopic dermatitis, and children may still present symptoms even if they avoid all allergies.
Food Allergies
Food allergies usually occur after a child has started to eat solid food. The reaction will almost always include symptoms involving the skin. Food allergy symptoms affecting the skin include hives, itching, and inflammation, usually occurring almost immediately after eating the culprit food. Other signs of a food allergy include diarrhea, sneezing, runny nose, lightheadedness, vomiting, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. In the case of a severe food allergy, life-threatening anaphylaxis can occur. If you suspect your child may have food allergies, it’s best to consult a pediatrician and have them undergo a comprehensive allergy test. This can help identify specific food triggers, giving you the information needed to manage your diet safely. To learn more about these tests and where they are available, do a through research online to find trusted resources and healthcare providers.
Nasal Allergies
More than 50% of young children and infants who have atopic dermatitis will also develop allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Allergic rhinitis usually presents at school-going age, but some children may develop it earlier. The most common environmental triggers in younger children are mold, pets, and dust, while pollen allergies usually develop later.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are an itchy or runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. Some children with allergic rhinitis may also experience ‘allergic shiners,’ post-nasal drip, and a red nose from an ‘allergic salute.’
Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in children, but it is commonly triggered by allergies. 15% to 38% of children with allergic rhinitis will go on to develop asthma.
Although asthma is more common in pre-teen males and teenage females, it can develop at any age. Asthma can be challenging to diagnose in young children, so an examination from a doctor specializing in asthma is recommended.
Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms are difficulty feeding in infants, chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, and insomnia.
When to Speak to an Allergy Specialist
If your child has any of the above symptoms and you suspect they are suffering from allergies, speak to your GP right away.
Your GP may be able to pinpoint the allergy and diagnose it, or they can refer you to an allergist or immunologist so your child can undergo allergy testing.
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